The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-04-04
THE TALE OF A TELEGRAM.

emerging from heshadow oil one oithe
great willows that guarded the gate.
As he pulled of his hat with Il low
bow, the sunlight brought out the
FURNISHED black OF his close-cut hair,
and threw into stronger relief his
bronzed, handsome face, to which n
slight scar on one cheek gave touch
OF the romantic and picturesque. So
thought Maud, after her brief, COM
prehensiye survey.
81 beg your pardon" said the
stranger, tanning himself with his
straw hat as he spoke, "but can you
tell me if Mr.. Estabrook is here2
49," thought Maud, lone OF Toms
friends" Then, aloud, "Yes-that is,
he lives here, but he is not at home
to-day"
As the newcomer stood irresolute,
Maud gave him another quick look,
sImmed up his whole appearance.
from his six feet OF stature and the
light pedestrian garb that set it of to
the knapsack hanging over his broad
shoulders. Then she said hesitatingly:
"He may be back tonight, per-
haps. Won't you come up to the
house and rest? 1t is so warml And
my mother will be glad to sec any
friend OF Toms"
The young man returned her induir-
ing glance as he answered, also with
some hesitation: Thanks. IL is
very warm, certainly. ! should be
delighted TO pay my respects to Mrs.
Estabrook, il she will permit me-"
With that he put on his hat again;
and the two walked along together
under the blossoming acacia trees,
while be introduced himself as Mars
ton Folliott, just now pedestrlaniz-
ing in that region. TO which she re-
sponded with the information that
she was Toms sister"
In this way they reached the house,
where Mrs. Estabrook was discovered
in the cool north parlor. She recelv-
ed her sons friend very Hospitality,
inviting him to await Toms return,
which was expected by the next
morning Mt latest.
Mr.. Folliotte's manner was again
hesitating, as he half glanced toward
Maud. II really ought not to take
advantage---' he began.
But Mrs. Estabrook, n nervous, ex-
Citable woman, given TO starts and
broken sentences, interrupted him:
mo, no! Pray don't say so.
Really it would relieve my
mind, now that my son is away; and
of course Peter must choose this very
time-NIaud, Peter hasn't come back
yet! No, not a man on the place, and
this is such solitary neighborhood!
Burglars and tramps would have us
quite at their mercy"
So the young man accepted the ur-
gent invitation, and the afternoon
wore away pleasantly, with music and
conversation, and strolllng about the
grounds.
It was almost tea-time. The two
ladies with their guest were sitting on
the breezy piazza when a telegram
messenger came up the steps. delivered
his yellow.covered missive, and was
of again like n shot out OF sight.
"From Tom, probably" said Mrs.
Estabrook. "Air. Folliott, you will
excuse mel"
She broke open the envelope, while
the conversation between the two
young people went on. But it was
suddenly interrupted by an inartlc-
ulate sound from, Mrs. Estabrook,
and, looking around, they saw her
white and trembling. Maud ran to
her mother and put her arm around
her. A.,
al hope you have received no bad
news" began Mr.. Foliiott. But as
he advanced Mrs. Estabrook waved
him back with poor attempt ut n
smile ,,
40, no, not bad at all-only n little
"a little-uexpected." Then she
conveyed silent summons TO Maud 5
anxious eve, adding with the same
forced lichtness: III you will excuse
our leaving You alone for n moment,
Mr. Folliott, / have n little house
hold matter to- arrange with my
daughter That is all indeed. 1t Is
only for a moment-only moment
assure you"
As they withdrew she sedulously re-
turned Mr.. Folliott's bow, all the
while preserving a set smile strangely
at variance with her pale face, But
no sooner had they entered the house
than it dropped away. as she turned
to her daughter and said, in hollow
whisper:
MAUD, that man Is burglarl"
Maud stared at this startling an
nouncement.
what man, mammal